Aluminum gutters, downspouts on growth track

Cleveland-based research firm the Freedonia Group has released a study forecasting that demand for aluminum gutters and downspouts in the United States will grow by 3.4 percent annually between 2018 and 2022.

Demand in value terms for aluminum gutters and downspouts is projected to reach a value of $4 billion in 2022, according to the study, driven by what it calls ongoing growth in the large residential improvement and repair market.

The trend would be good news for demolition and residential construction contractors, nonferrous scrap recyclers and secondary aluminum producers, each of whom can benefit from growth in the aluminum building products sector.

The Freedonia Group also predicts growth will be supported in the short term by price increases implemented in response to the Trump administration’s aluminum tariffs. The research firm’s findings are presented in its study “Gutters & Downspouts in the U.S., 2nd Edition,” available through the Freedonia Group website.

In linear feet, demand for aluminum gutter and downspout products is projected to increase 1.6 percent per year to 1.6 billion in 2022. Aluminum is the material most used for gutter systems, resulting in what the Freedonia Group describes as “a largely mature market.” Additionally, writes the research firm, aluminum gutter guards will continue to face competition from plastic and steel varieties, resulting in only moderate gains in an otherwise expanding segment.

“Demand for the gutters and downspouts market overall is expected to increase 3.2 percent per year to $6 billion in 2022,” says Freedonia Group analyst Ellen Kriz. She adds that long-term value growth will be supported by the promotion of value-added products and accessories, including rainwater harvesting equipment, gutter guards, and decorative features such as rain chains, in an effort to combat market maturity.